Qatargas, the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) producer, received the ‘first ever’ Certificate of Recognition from the Green Award Foundation for its fleet of LNG Carriers at GASTECH 2011, Amsterdam.
This important recognition from the Green Award Foundation Wednesday officially launched the Certification Scheme for LNG Carriers world-wide.
The Green Award for LNG carriers comes from the Green Award scheme, established in 1994, in order to promote quality shipping amongst sea-going vessels. All over the world the Green Award certifies ships, ship managers and oil companies that prove their dedication to high quality, safety and environmental standards.
It is for the first time a Qatari LNG Fleet has received such an award.
The Award was presented by the Green Award Foundation Chairman Pieter Struijs to Mr. Ghanim Al –Kuwari , Qatargas’ Chief Operating Officer Administration at the Qatargas Stand on the sidelines of the 25th GASTECH conference. This certification acknowledges Qatargas for its leadership in Corporate Social Responsibility and invaluable support in helping the Green Award Foundation to develop and launch certification of LNG carriers.
Commenting on this milestone achievement Mr Al-Kuwari said:
“ We are proud to be the first company to receive this recognition for our LNG carriers; and recognised in this global forum by the Green Award Scheme – with such an initiative that promotes our safe and environmentally responsible shipping .
He added that: “ Through the support of our CEO, Khalid Bin Khalifa Al Thani and under the guidance of HE Minister of Energy & Industry and QG Chairman, Dr. Mohamed Saleh Al Sada, Qatargas will continue to lead the industry with our commitment and the setting of high safety and environmental standards in all our operations .”
The benefits for extra clean and extra safe ships include image improvement, charterers’ preference, reduction on port dues, discounts on pilotage services and various trainings, reimbursement by a bank for a part of the certification costs. Green Award certifies oil and product tankers, dry bulk carriers and – since recently – inland barges and LNG carriers. Every ship is inspected by a Green Award surveyor on a regular basis
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Source: Qatargas, March 25, 2011;